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Scarce Hartley & Graham Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Scarce Hartley & Graham Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter
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Scarce Hartley & Graham Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

This rifle model represents Colt's only attempt to compete with Winchester for the lever action rifle market. A total of 3,775 rifles were manufactured between 1883 and 1885, 2,556 with octagon barrels. Fixed nickel steel blade front sight with adjustable semi-buckhorn sporting rear sight. The top barrel flat is marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A./+PAT. JAN. 7. 73. OCT. 19. 75.APR. 1. 79. DEC. 13. 81. JAN 3. 82.+" ahead of the rear sight, "+BURGESS'S PATENTS+" is stamped on top of the lever with the serial number on the lower tang just behind the trigger. The Rampant Colt is marked on the left side of the receiver. The rifle was finished blue with a casehardened hammer and lever. Full length 15 round tubular magazine and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a steel end cap and crescent buttplate with buttstock compartment (cleaning rod not included). The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, 25 1/2 inch octagon barrel, blue finish, wood stocks and that it was shipped as 1 of 180 to Hartley & Graham in New York, N.Y. on February 21, 1885.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Burgess-Rifle
BBL: 25 1/2 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Guage: 44-40
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 2910

Fine as partially refinished, the metal shows cold blue touch-ups, with 50% blue finish remaining mixed with a smooth brown. The hammer and lever show a smooth mottled gray patina. The buttplate has a smooth mottled brown patina. The wood is very good as refinished with only the slightest handling marks. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is fine.